Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
June 24, 1997 |
| Report Number |
97-490 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Henry Cohen, American Law Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 (VPA), P.L. 105-19 , became law on June 18, 1997, when
the
President signed S. 543 , 105th Congress. As passed by the Senate, this bill was
identical to H.R. 911 , 105th Congress, as reported by the House Committee on the
Judiciary on May 19, 1997 ( H.Rept. 105-101 ). The VPA, whose effective date is September 16,
1997, immunizes individuals who do volunteer work for nonprofit organizations or governmental
entities from liability for ordinary negligence in the course of their volunteer work. It also limits
punitive damages and noneconomic damages against volunteers who are held liable. It does not
affect the liability of nonprofit organizations or governmental entities. The purpose of the VPA is
to encourage people to do volunteer work for such nonprofit organizations and governmental entities.
However, it allows states affirmatively to declare it inapplicable to suits in their state in which all
parties to the action are citizens of the state.
